Dementia patients at a Denbigh nursing home could be at risk and their mental health could deteriorate because staff are not being properly trained, say inspectors.

The Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales, which visited the Plas Eleri Home, also found that the poor condition of the building and furnishings “showed little respect for the dignity of people living in the service”.

The highly critical report by the CSSIW followed two visits to the home in September and November last year, which were themselves a follow-up to previous inspections in 2013 when concerns were raised about similar matters.

Some environmental improvements were carried out but, according to the inspectors, their findings in November did not match what they had been told was being done.

Plas Eleri, in Rhyl Road, Denbigh, is registered for 34 older people with dementia and mental health problems. It is owned by London-based company Atlantis Medicare Plas Eleri Ltd, and the registered manager is nurse Lindsay Fisher.

Following the November visit, the CSSIW found the home remained non-compliant under three headings first highlighted in August 2013, relating to the fitness of the premises, reducing the risk of cross-infection and the reduction of risk to the patients.

In October 2013, inspectors drew attention to staffing rotas which meant there was inadequate support for staff and impacted on the welfare of patients.

The registered persons responded that action was being taken but, in their latest report, the inspectors state: “We observed practices that demonstrate that the health and welfare of individuals is again compromised.”

The staff were found to be caring and kind but needed regular training, said the CSSIW.

The inspectors found that lack of supervision, company and stimulation for residents led to frustration among some and annoyance for others, increasing the risk to the safety of the individual, other residents and even staff.

Their report said: “The evidence indicated that the quality of life for people using the service is compromised.

“People who do not present high levels of challenging behaviour do not always receive staff attention as and when they need it.”

Though some refurbishment had been carried out, the remaining environmental concerns included:

· evidence that a faulty electrical socket had been used

· a note on a window which read “Please don’t open the window, it’s broken”

· carpets in bedrooms were “rucked and stained”

· curtains were thin and not fitted correctly.

Noting the improvements carried out over the last 12 months, the report continues: “However, observations during both inspections demonstrate that the quality of the environment still shows little respect for the dignity of people living in the service.”

Under the heading “Quality of leadership and management”, the report states: “The evidence indicated that the service is not being supervised or managed with suitable integrity and competence.

“The impact for people using the service is that the service does not deliver what is expected. Social and emotional needs are not met and there is a high risk of mental health deteriorating.”